Every time I read your work, Jim, I feel like I’ve just been lovingly sucker-punched by a philosopher-mystic who moonlights as a demolition expert for bad theology.
This isn’t “human development”—this is divine jailbreak. You’re not leading people down alleys, you’re showing them the trapdoors beneath their sanitized self-help mantras and whispering, “Jump. The real you is waiting below.”
I especially loved the reminder that heresy is hospitality for new thought. Somewhere, Jesus just high-fived Ingersoll and said, “Finally, someone gets it.”
Thank you for building a bonfire where we can throw our old scripts and dance around what’s next.
I love your writing, so calm and clear and insightful. And I love that you support so many smaller, up-and-coming writers! That you're living what you're teaching us here. Thank you.
And thank you so much for your kind words about me!
Well, Jim, this was like getting gently whacked upside the head with a velvet-covered philosophy brick. I’m an old broad (68), which means I’m supposed to be quietly gardening and subscribing to “Live, Laugh, Love” energy—but instead I’m over here poking at my conditioning like a suspicious casserole and tracking Pluto transits like they owe me money.
Your “radical human development” lens? Yes. Exactly. It’s not about spa days or vision boards (though let’s not knock a good foot soak). It’s about deprogramming, deep listening, and occasionally screaming purposefully into the void. The kind of metamorphosis that ruins dinner parties but saves your soul.
And this list of thinkers? Chef’s kiss. I’ve already bookmarked half of them and side-eyed the others like “We’ll talk later.” As someone who uses astrology to sniff out archetypal patterns and cosmic mischief, I’m thrilled to see this level of complexity, contradiction, and curiosity being celebrated.
So, thanks for inviting us into the alleyways instead of the auditoriums. For not dumbing it down. And for writing with enough guts and weirdness, even this crone perked up and said, “Oh hell yes.”
Well, unsure if i should thank you for adding to my subscription list as I already feel challenged with reading everything.
Yet at the same time... I am delighted to find a treasure of substacks laser focused on this thing called LIFE and how we are integral in the infinite expressions and experiences we are having.
Thanks for including the work, Jim. Always curious how pattern recognition across different deconstructive practices might cross-pollinate. Appreciate you creating space for post-institutional thinking !
Wonderful work here Jim. I really appreciate the art, I do think it goes well with this piece. I also liked the Maslow reference and think its an important point, but while we all might push toward that pinnacle Maslow described we must meet those other needs, something our current administration is making as tough as humanly possible.
Thanks for the shoutout Jim! I’m honored to be featured among these talented writers. Also, that Carl Jung quote is precisely what I needed to hear at the moment. So good.
Every time I read your work, Jim, I feel like I’ve just been lovingly sucker-punched by a philosopher-mystic who moonlights as a demolition expert for bad theology.
This isn’t “human development”—this is divine jailbreak. You’re not leading people down alleys, you’re showing them the trapdoors beneath their sanitized self-help mantras and whispering, “Jump. The real you is waiting below.”
I especially loved the reminder that heresy is hospitality for new thought. Somewhere, Jesus just high-fived Ingersoll and said, “Finally, someone gets it.”
Thank you for building a bonfire where we can throw our old scripts and dance around what’s next.
I love your writing, so calm and clear and insightful. And I love that you support so many smaller, up-and-coming writers! That you're living what you're teaching us here. Thank you.
And thank you so much for your kind words about me!
Thanks for the mention Jim! Really appreciate it. Great selection, always find something new in your recommendations
Thanks for including me here, Jim 🙏. Those other sources sound fantastic.
Well, Jim, this was like getting gently whacked upside the head with a velvet-covered philosophy brick. I’m an old broad (68), which means I’m supposed to be quietly gardening and subscribing to “Live, Laugh, Love” energy—but instead I’m over here poking at my conditioning like a suspicious casserole and tracking Pluto transits like they owe me money.
Your “radical human development” lens? Yes. Exactly. It’s not about spa days or vision boards (though let’s not knock a good foot soak). It’s about deprogramming, deep listening, and occasionally screaming purposefully into the void. The kind of metamorphosis that ruins dinner parties but saves your soul.
And this list of thinkers? Chef’s kiss. I’ve already bookmarked half of them and side-eyed the others like “We’ll talk later.” As someone who uses astrology to sniff out archetypal patterns and cosmic mischief, I’m thrilled to see this level of complexity, contradiction, and curiosity being celebrated.
So, thanks for inviting us into the alleyways instead of the auditoriums. For not dumbing it down. And for writing with enough guts and weirdness, even this crone perked up and said, “Oh hell yes.”
Self- (as other) education is the ultimate aim of self-education.
Well, unsure if i should thank you for adding to my subscription list as I already feel challenged with reading everything.
Yet at the same time... I am delighted to find a treasure of substacks laser focused on this thing called LIFE and how we are integral in the infinite expressions and experiences we are having.
Oh your list of 30...spot on.
Besides the amazing intellectual and emotional resources, your art pieces are fabulous.
Thanks for including the work, Jim. Always curious how pattern recognition across different deconstructive practices might cross-pollinate. Appreciate you creating space for post-institutional thinking !
Wonderful work here Jim. I really appreciate the art, I do think it goes well with this piece. I also liked the Maslow reference and think its an important point, but while we all might push toward that pinnacle Maslow described we must meet those other needs, something our current administration is making as tough as humanly possible.
Thanks for the shoutout Jim! I’m honored to be featured among these talented writers. Also, that Carl Jung quote is precisely what I needed to hear at the moment. So good.